On August 21, 2025, San Diego FC pulled off a quiet but seismic move in Major League Soccer, acquiring 35-year-old Norwegian striker Amahl Pellegrino from the San Jose Earthquakes for $300,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money. The deal, finalized just hours before the Secondary Transfer Window closed, wasn’t just another roster tweak—it was a statement. At the time, San Diego FC sat atop the Supporters’ Shield race with a 16-7-4 record (52 points), and they weren’t just trying to make the playoffs. They were trying to win their first-ever MLS title. Enter Pellegrino: a 6-foot-3 target forward with a resume that reads like a European fairy tale.
From Bodø to San Diego: A Career Built on Big Moments
Pellegrino didn’t rise through the MLS ranks. He carved his name into the history books of Norway’s top flight. Between 2021 and 2023, he tore up the Bodø/Glimt attack, scoring 76 goals and adding 40 assists in 120 appearances. He wasn’t just a goal-scorer—he was a game-changer in Europe’s elite competitions, netting four goals and providing two assists across seven UEFA Champions League qualifiers and five UEFA Europa League matches. His physicality, aerial dominance, and icy composure in front of goal made him a cult hero in northern Norway. And yet, when he arrived in San Jose in 2023, few in MLS noticed. He made 51 appearances over two seasons, chipping in nine goals and five assists. Solid. Reliable. But not explosive.The Trade That Changed Everything
San Diego FC’s sporting director, Tyler Heaps, saw something others missed. "Amahl is a player who has had tremendous success in Europe and contributed in big games throughout his career," Heaps said in the official announcement. "We believe he can come and raise the level of competition at the winger position and bring added leadership to the locker room for the rest of the season." The move was strategic. San Jose retained a portion of Pellegrino’s 2025 salary budget charge, making the deal financially palatable for a club still building its infrastructure. And while the $300,000 GAM price tag seemed modest, the real value wasn’t in the money—it was in timing. San Diego had just added veteran Corey Baird from FC Cincinnati for $50,000 just two weeks earlier. Now they had two proven finishers. The pieces were falling into place.
The Brace That Made History
By November 15, 2025, the gamble had paid off in spectacular fashion. In the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, San Diego FC faced the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Down 0-0 at halftime, the home crowd expected a grind. Instead, they got a masterclass. Pellegrino, wearing the number 11 jersey, opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a towering header off a cross from Anders Dreyer. Four minutes later, he cut inside from the left flank and curled a shot past the keeper’s far post. The stadium fell silent. The YouTube video titled "Amahl Pellegrino BAGS BRACE in Game 3 For San Diego FC! | 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs" went viral within hours. The next day, MLS officially named Pellegrino and Dreyer to the MLS Team of the Matchday 39. Dreyer, the club’s Designated Player, had 13 goals and 17 assists that season. But Pellegrino? He’d only played six games since joining. Two goals. Two assists. Instant impact.Why This Matters Beyond the Stats
Pellegrino’s story is more than goals and transfers. Born in Drammen, Norway, to Tanzanian parents, he’s one of the few players in MLS with dual cultural roots. He was named to Tanzania’s provisional 2023 Africa Cup of Nations roster—an honor that speaks to his global appeal. In San Diego, a city with a rapidly growing Latino and East African community, his presence resonates. He’s not just a player. He’s a symbol. And his leadership? It’s quiet but undeniable. Teammates say he’s the first in the locker room, the last to leave. He doesn’t need to talk much. His work ethic does the speaking. After a slow start to the 2025 season, San Diego FC’s attack had become predictable. Pellegrino changed that. He forced defenses to account for him, opening space for Dreyer and others. The team’s goal differential improved by 0.4 per game after his arrival.
What’s Next for San Diego FC?
With Pellegrino under contract through 2025 and his performance elevating the entire squad, San Diego FC is now a legitimate title contender. They’ve moved from "upstart" to "threat" in just three months. The next challenge? A Western Conference semifinal against the LA Galaxy. If they advance, they’ll face either the Columbus Crew or the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup final. The front office hasn’t ruled out extending Pellegrino’s contract beyond 2025. At 35, he’s older than most MLS forwards. But his fitness, discipline, and consistency suggest he could be a bridge to the next generation. And if he keeps scoring in the playoffs? That $300,000 might go down as the best investment in club history.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Amahl Pellegrino perform before joining San Diego FC?
Before joining San Diego FC, Pellegrino spent two seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes, making 51 appearances (32 starts) and scoring nine goals with five assists across all competitions. His most impressive work came earlier with Bodø/Glimt in Norway, where he tallied 76 goals and 40 assists in 120 appearances between 2021 and 2023, including key contributions in UEFA Champions League qualifiers and Europa League matches.
Why did San Jose Earthquakes trade a proven forward?
San Jose retained a portion of Pellegrino’s 2025 salary budget charge, making the trade financially favorable. With the team out of playoff contention and looking to rebuild, they opted to convert his value into future flexibility. The $300,000 in GAM gives them resources to invest in younger talent or future transfers without overextending their salary cap.
What impact has Pellegrino had on San Diego FC’s playoff run?
Pellegrino’s two-goal performance in San Diego’s 4-0 win over Portland Timbers during Matchday 39 of the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs was a turning point. He immediately became a focal point in attack, forcing defenses to adjust and creating space for Anders Dreyer and others. His physical presence and goal-scoring instinct elevated the entire team’s offensive efficiency, helping San Diego climb from a strong regular-season team to a legitimate MLS Cup threat.
Is Pellegrino eligible to play for Tanzania’s national team?
Yes. Though born in Norway, Pellegrino’s parents are Tanzanian, making him eligible for both nations. He was named to Tanzania’s provisional roster for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, though he ultimately didn’t make the final squad. His dual heritage adds cultural significance to his role in San Diego, a city with deep ties to East African communities.
What does this trade mean for San Diego FC’s future?
This trade signals San Diego FC’s intent to compete now, not later. Acquiring a proven goal-scorer like Pellegrino—alongside Corey Baird and Anders Dreyer—gives them one of the most dangerous attacking trios in MLS. If they can extend his contract beyond 2025, he could anchor their attack while mentoring younger players. The $300,000 GAM spent may be the most efficient investment in club history if they win the MLS Cup.
How does Pellegrino compare to other veteran forwards in MLS?
At 35, Pellegrino is among the oldest forwards in the league, but his production rivals elite veterans like Diego Rossi and Gyasi Zardes. Unlike many aging strikers who rely on experience alone, Pellegrino combines physical dominance with technical precision. His 76-goal record in Norway’s Eliteserien is unmatched by any current MLS forward over a comparable period. He’s not just surviving—he’s thriving.